January 27, 1945 – March 2, 2011
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Veronica on March 2, 2011 after a courageous 3 year battle with breast cancer. Veronica passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her family. She is survived by her parents, Doug and Doris Harrison; her husband, Jim; her brother, Adrian (Joyce); sister-in-law, Lynn Gauley; daughter, Christina (Rob); son, Michael (Christy); grandchildren, Olivia, Charlotte and Logan; nephews, Jay Bessembinders and Ben Harrison (Tanis) and grand niece, Hartley.
Veronica was born in Hunstanton, England in 1945. Her family moved to Canada in 1953. Finally settling in Victoria in 1956, Veronica attended Oak Bay High and received her B.Sc. from UVIC in 1967. It was in a geology class where she met her future soulmate and married Jim in 1968. For the next 43 years, they shared many adventures, raised two wonderful children and cherished family holidays and gatherings. Some of Veronica’s adventures included identifying a new subspecies of Pacific Ocean squid in 1968, catching a 55 lb. spring salmon on her honeymoon in the Alberni Canal, visiting England and cruising . Highlights of her travels included trips to Hawaii and Disneyland with her family and a trip to Cusco, Peru in 2006, where Mike and Christy took us hiking and exploring Inca ruins in the Andes and visiting Machu Picchu. Veronica also got involved with the Juan de Fuca Arts and Crafts Guild, enjoyed sewing, knitting, weaving and especially quilting. She also managed Purdy’s Chocolates at Hillside and appreciated working with a very supportive staff. Veronica was a caring, thoughtful, loving and unselfish woman and we will cherish her memory forever. We would like to thank Dr.’s Attwell, Wei, Allen and Mathews, home care nurses Sue and Linda, and the Beacon Community workers for their professional care and support.
A Celebration of Veronica’s Life will be held in Victoria in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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Tam Dinh
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Shirley and Michael Rose Our deepest sympathy to Jim and family. We knew of her courageous battle these past few years from our good friends her parents, Doris and Doug. We are so sorry we missed the memorial service and opportunity to offer our condolences on Thursday, but want you to know our thoughts are with you.
With love,
Shirley and Michael Rose
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Bob and Margie Humphreys To Jim and Family;
Although we can’t be with you to celebrate Veronica’s life on Thursday, know that we will be thinking of you and remembering her.
With love and best wishes,
Bob and Margie
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Arch and Christine Strickland Our deepest sympathy.So sorry we can’t be there with you ,as you celebrate Veronica’s Life.Thinking of you at this time.Take care.
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Leo Chaland Dear Jim, Christina and Mike; Doug, Doris and Adrian and all family members,
Please accept from Ann and me our condolences and prayers for you and for Veronica.
Jim, this is a very difficult time so I will simply express my sadness when I learned of Veronica’s death. The two of you made an excellent couple and I remember with fondness the twenty-four years we spent as neighbours on Aloha Avenue.
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Sarah Dixon (Baker) Dear “Uncle” Jim, Christina, and Mike,
My mom told me about Veronica’s passing today. I have many fond memories of working with her at Purdy’s. Veronica gave me my first job at the age of 15 and I worked with her for 8 years. Not only was she my boss but she was also like a mother to me. I have often thought about the both of you and wondered how you were doing. It saddens me greatly that I did not know about Veronica’s recent struggles and I regret not keeping in touch after I moved away from Victoria.
My thoughts and condolences,
Sarah(nee Baker) Dixon
Edmonton
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Alice "Fenny" McGregor Please allow me to extend heartfelt sympathy for your loss, Jim. It is good to know you have such a big, loving family and so many wonderful memories to comfort you. Love, Alice
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Theresa Anderson (Snelling) Our Thoughts and prayers to the family. May you all find strength and peace.
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Pat McNally-Dawes I was so sad to read of Veronica’s passing. I have happy memories of working at Purdy’s with her as my boss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Pat McNally-Dawes
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Shirley Naylor In our teen years, Veronica was my closest friend: steadfast, honest, courageous, gifted with a fine artistic sense, a strong sense of propriety – and a gently witty sense of humour. We helped each other through teen traumas and shared giggle-fits. As adults, we saw each other infrequently, but she continued to influence my life.
Doug and I send our sympathies to Jim and family, Veronica’s parents, Adrian and family and to the friends who shared their adult years with her.
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Donna Chapman (Walton) Dear Gauley Family,
Dave and I send our deepest sympathies to you all on this sad occasion. I graduated with Veronica from Oak Bay High in 1963. Our paths crossed again when she was manager at Purdys. We would talk and and catch up on classmates we had in common whenever I would come into the store. She was a kind and wonderful person!!
Sincerely,
Donna Chapman (Walton)
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Roslyn Heslop (Chang) Veronica hired me to Purdy’s in 1987 when I was 21 years old. She made me feel immediately comfortable and capable. One thing about Veronica you knew she was a Mother first and she mothered us as young people while working at Purdy’s. I knew she cared and understood when my brother passed away and she gave me some very valuable advice that I live by to this day.
She always had a smile and an encouraging world, she saw the positive in people.
As a business woman there was no one more honest, fair or capable and she made it look so easy.
Over twenty years later, I can still see her beautiful smile vividly and feel the warmth that came from within her.
She loved her family so much and was so proud of them, she would tell us about their accomplishments and the funny things they said or did and it gave me the hope that I too could one day be a good mom and still hold a full time job.
Thank you Veronica for your sweet self. I have so many wonderful memories of you.
Roslyn Chang
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Tanis Hornhardt To Veronica’s family, my thoughts and condolences go out to you all.
I worked for Veronica at Purdy’s for four years while I attended UVic. I will never forget Veronica’s patience or quick sense of humor. She was a fantastic boss and a great friend. I still look back fondly on my time at Hillside Purdy’s and Veronica holds a special place in my heart.Warm Regards,
Tanis Hornhardt (Buksa)
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Brenda McClymont Jim and family – My deepest thoughts are with you all at this time. Veronica was one of the loveliest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I worked with her for a number of years at Purdy’s. Not only was she a great manager but we always shared lots of laughs. I will carry with me many wonderful memories. I’m very sorry for your loss.
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Bell Gwynne My condolences to Veronica’s family and many friends. She mentored many Purdy’s People over the years, and it was my privilege to know her.
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Bonnie Neville Jim & family, Christina, Rob & family, Mike, Christy & family & Doug & Doris, Adrian, Joyce & family.
Veronica was a treasured friend. I cherish all the great times we shared at Purdy’s and in the time spent together since our retirement.
I respect and admire the courage, strength and spirit she showed in her 3 year battle. Veronica will be missed by all who knew her..
Her struggle is over and she is now at peace!My heartfelt condolences to you all.
Love Bonnie
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Melody Secord To Veronica’s family – my deepest condolences and thoughts are with you at this time. Veronica was my manager at Purdy’s (Hillside) about ten years ago. She was so patient and so kind and made my first job not only unforgettable but also incredibly enjoyable. I look back with great fondness on those days as my part-time position at Purdy’s was my first ‘real’ job and I could not have asked for a better manager and amazing team of co-workers. I am so sad to hear this news and I can still picture V so clearly and hear her kind and gentle words. I also remember her retirement party in Cordova Bay which was also a great memory of Veronica.
As I live in Vancouver now I sadly will miss Veronica’s Celebration of Life but do know that I am thinking of her and the whole family.
Sincerely,
Melody Secord
Jim, Christine and Mike,
I am so sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace. I am so sorry I missed her celebration of life. I am sure that you know she made an impression on me at such a young age(16).She and Bonnie was the best management team I have ever worked for. My favourite 12 years of my worklife would be at Purdy’s with Veronica and the Hillside team. We had some great laughs. Veronica aspired me to be the manager that I am today with my staff. In my own way, I have carried Veronica’s understanding and nurturing management style with me over the years. She will always be remembered.
My thoughts are with you all.